2-Day Bakubung Bush Lodge Safari Priced from $359
Photo of: Johannesburg to Bakubung Bush Lodge safari
Photo of: The scenic Views In Bakubung
Welcome to this Epic 2-Day Safari Escape at Bakubung Bush Lodge.
Escape to the wilds of South Africa's Pilanesberg Game Reserve with an incredible 2-day safari experience at the luxurious Bakubung Bush Lodge. This is your chance to come face-to-face with Africa's majestic Big Five and discover abundant wildlife firsthand in their natural habitats.
Day 1: Johannesburg to Bakubung Bush Lodge.
Your safari adventure begins bright and early with a morning departure from Johannesburg. As the city fades into the distance, feel the excitement build for the incredible journey ahead. The drive to Pilanesberg Game Reserve takes approximately 2.5 hours, providing ample time to appreciate beautiful landscapes along the way.
Watch rural villages and rolling grasslands transform into the mountainous terrain surrounding one of South Africa's largest game reserves. With over 55,000 hectares of protected land, Pilanesberg Game Reserve serves as a sanctuary for many endangered wildlife species that were once near extinction.
Upon arrival at the reserve's gate, take a moment to appreciate this transition from bustling city life to raw African wilderness waiting to be explored. Your guide will check-in and provide more details about the park and its efforts in conservation and rehabilitation of landscapes and animals alike.
Soon you will be pulling up to the comforts of Bakubung Bush Lodge, your home for the next two days. Built alongside a hippo lake frequented by wildlife, the lodge strikes a balance between raw African beauty and modern amenities. Unpack and settle into your accommodation, taking time to enjoy the view from your private patio or balcony.
Listen to hippos splashing about in nearby waters while exotic birds flutter between trees. With 76 rooms ranging from standard to deluxe suites, Bakubung Bush Lodge can accommodate all budgets and preferences. Delicious smells from one of the onsite restaurants may begin stirring up an appetite.
After indulging in a tasty lunch on the shaded terrace, it's time for the highlight of the day - an open-air safari through Pilanesberg in search of the Big Five and other wildlife. Climb aboard a 4x4 safari vehicle with stadium seating to maximize game viewing opportunities. An experienced guide will use their well-trained eye to spot camouflaged animals and share fascinating facts throughout the drive.
Keep cameras ready as you bounce along dirt tracks winding through grassland plains and acacia woodlands. Herds of zebra and wildebeest may migrate by first. Crocodiles and hippos often wade along the waterways of Mankwe Dam, taking respite from the hot African sun. Pilanesberg is also home to the largest remaining population of the endangered black rhino.
Your guide may even spot one of the reserve's famous white lion prides, an incredibly rare genetic variation of lion with a stunning blonde mane. Other predators like cheetahs, wild dogs, and hyenas are also native to these lands. You may even get lucky and witness them taking down prey during your drive.
As the golden glow of sunset spreads across the horizon, make your way back to the lodge just in time for a delicious 3-course dinner featuring regional cuisine and South African wines. Swap stories of wildlife sightings with other guests in the boma area around a roaring fire under starlit skies. Retire for the evening feeling content and at one with nature.
Day 2: Pilanesberg Game Reserve to Johannesburg.
Rise before the sun on your second day for a brisk morning game drive when wildlife is most active. Departing in darkness, watch in awe as the sky awakens with fiery red and orange hues stretching across the landscape. The earlier start makes spotting elusive leopards and lions on the prowl more likely this time of day.
After a fruitful sunrise safari, return to Bakubung Bush Lodge for a satisfying breakfast spread on the patio. Enjoy the last few hours of relaxation at the lodge by treating yourself to a spa treatment or browsing through the curio shops. Pick up the perfect memento like hand-carved wooden statues of African animals or colorful textiles.
For those still seeking more wildlife adventures, optional activities are available for booking like elephant back safaris or living museums that educate visitors about ancient tribal traditions still practiced today by many native cultures across Africa.
Before embarking on the return journey, stop by the Pilanesberg Centre. This complex features a range of amenities from ATMs and fuel stations to boutique shopping and dining options to stock up on provisions. Walk through the gardens displaying life-sized sculptures of wildlife in their natural state. Grab a quick meal at one of the several restaurants overlooking a waterhole constantly flooded with animal activity.
After one last chance to soak up Pilanesberg's captivating beauty, it's time for farewells. Board your transfer vehicle, stealing a few last glances of grazing impalas and zebras in the mid-day sun. While 2 days is hardly enough time to fully explore the wonders of this reserve, let your memories and photographs continue immersing you in the magic of Pilanesberg.
The nearly 3-hour drive back to Johannesburg is the perfect opportunity to reminisce on this whirlwind safari getaway. Cherish newly formed perspectives on wildlife conservation and the balance of nature, perhaps inspiring you to embark on more African adventures in the future across this diverse continent. Arrive back at your original departure point overflowing with awe of South Africa’s landscapes and inhabitants.